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A protagonist’s goal is the key objective that drives the main character’s actions throughout a story. This goal can be external (like achieving a tangible outcome) or internal (such as personal growth).
The protagonist’s goal shapes the narrative and adds depth to their character.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Types of protagonist goals
- How to come up with the protagonist’s goal
- Character goals examples from film and literature
Definition of a Protagonist’s Goal
A protagonist’s goal is the key objective that the main character strives to achieve throughout the story. It’s very similar to the character goal objective in the screenwriting process. This goal is central to the character’s actions and the story’s progression. It defines the character’s journey and drives the plot forward, influencing the conflicts and resolutions encountered along the way.
Why Is a Protagonist’s Goal So Important?
At Greenlight Coverage, we stress the importance of a protagonist’s goal in shaping a compelling narrative. A clear and well-defined goal ensures that your protagonist’s actions are purposeful, driving the story forward and engaging your audience. To make the most of our script analysis services, use code 5OFFNOW at checkout to get 5% off on Greenlight Coverage.
When your protagonist has a clear goal, it creates a roadmap for the narrative. The protagonist’s goal manages to:
- Define the Narrative Arc: A well-established goal outlines the trajectory of the plot. This makes each scene and interaction purposeful.
- Create Tension and Conflict: The protagonist’s objective inevitably meets obstacles. These challenges generate conflict, driving the plot and keeping readers engaged.
- Enhance Character Development: As the protagonist strives to achieve their goal, they grow and evolve, making them more relatable and multi-dimensional.
How to Identify a Protagonist’s Goal
To pinpoint your characters goal, ask the following questions:
- What Does the Protagonist Want? Identify the primary desire driving your character.
- Why Does It Matter? Understand the stakes involved. Higher stakes result in more compelling storytelling.
- What Opposes the Goal? Recognize the conflicts and obstacles that challenge the protagonist’s desires.
Identifying these components ensures that your protagonist’s goal is clear, relevant, and engaging.
Why Do You Need A Protagonists Goal In Storytelling?
The Driving Force of the Narrative
The protagonist’s goal is the narrative’s engine. It fuels the plot and gives purpose to the character’s actions. When the goal is clear, every step the protagonist takes resonates with the reader.
Creating Capitative Conflicts
Conflict arises naturally as the protagonist pursues their goal. Whether it’s an external obstacle like an antagonist or an internal struggle such as self-doubt, these conflicts are essential for keeping the narrative dynamic and engaging. Without conflict, the story may lack the tension needed to hook the audience.
Take for instance a protagonist aiming to rescue a kidnapped loved one. The narrative’s tension comes from the obstacles faced:
- External Conflicts: These include physical barriers, antagonists, or social structures that impede progress.
- Internal Conflicts: These are psychological struggles, such as fear, guilt, or ethical dilemmas.
Driving Character Development
A protagonist’s goal is a powerful tool for character development. As the character encounters and overcomes challenges, they grow in complexity and depth. This evolution makes them relatable and compelling.
Consider a protagonist whose goal is to overcome a personal fear. As they strive towards this goal, we witness their vulnerabilities, strengths, and eventual growth. This character journey makes for a rich and engaging narrative.
Types of Protagonist Goals
External vs. Internal Goals
External Goals: These are concrete objectives visible to others. Typical examples include:
- Achieving a Political Reform
- Rescuing a Loved One
- Winning a Competition
External goals are clear and measurable, providing a tangible end-point for the narrative.
Internal Goals: These are personal and often hidden desires. They include:
- Overcoming Personal Fears
- Finding Love
- Achieving Inner Peace
Internal goals add emotional depth to the story, making the protagonist’s journey more relatable and compelling.
Short-term vs. Long-term Goals
Short-term Goals: These immediate objectives drive the protagonist’s actions in the short run. They propel the narrative forward at a rapid pace. Examples include:
- Escaping Immediate Danger
- Solving a Pressing Mystery
Long-term Goals: Broader objectives that unfold over the course of the story. They shape the overarching narrative. Examples include:
- Achieving Redemption Over Time
- Building a New World Order
Balancing short-term and long-term goals ensures your story remains engaging while maintaining depth.
How To Come Up With The Protagonist’s Goal?
Establishing the Dominant Narrative
Your protagonist’s goal should align with the story’s dominant narrative. This alignment ensures that every action taken by the protagonist is consistent and purposeful. Establish a clear narrative framework to guide your protagonist’s journey.
Developing a Unique Personality
Your protagonist should have a distinct personality that influences their goals. Their desires and motivations should stem from their unique characteristics and experiences. This distinctiveness makes them relatable and memorable.
Ensuring Goal Alignment
Consistency is key. Ensure that your protagonist’s actions align with their goals. Any deviation should be logically explained within the narrative. This alignment keeps the story focused and cohesive.
Balancing Internal and External Goals
A well-rounded character often has both internal and external goals. Balance these goals to create a harmonious character arc. This balance enriches the narrative, making the protagonist’s journey more fulfilling and engaging.
Protagonist Goal Advice From Reddit:
This user gave good advice on setting a strong Protagonist Goal:
A (one of many) basic structure for a story:
[CHARACTER(S)] must [CHALLENGE TO OVERCOME] in order to [GOAL THEY NEED TO REACH] or [BAD STUFF THAT WILL HAPPEN IF THEY FAIL]
The Goal is really the driving force of your whole story. In order to have a story you need a character that needs something (the goal) and something that is stopping them from getting it. If there wasn’t anything stopping them from getting it, they would just get it and there wouldn’t be any story, or at least anything remotely interesting to watch.
If you HAD to forcibly create a goal if nothing comes to you, I guess you could start with imagining your character, then imagining some kind of obstacle he needs to overcome, and only after that you would find a reason (the goal) to justify why he is doing it.
The important thing is to create a goal that will make it believable WHY the character will go to the lengths they do to reach it.
i.e. a character will not run through gunfire to get to a bagel because they feel a bit hungry. A character might run through gunfire to save a loved one.
Another user also mentioned the need for Short Term and Long Term goals:
I’ve learned from professors/mentors that a character has 2 goals: their objective and their superobjective. Their objective will change from scene to scene, actions taken to help them get what they want.
However their superobjective is the deep yearning within them that drives their purpose throughout the entire story.
Each objective is like a rib on the spine of the superobjective.
Character Goal Examples in Literature and Film
“Barbie” (Directed by Greta Gerwig)
In the film “Barbie,” the protagonist’s journey aligns with the Hero’s Journey structure. Barbie’s quest to discover her true self reflects a clear, relatable goal. This well-crafted goal drives the narrative, making the story engaging and profound.
“Dumb Money”
In “Dumb Money,” the protagonist has defined goals but lacks deep character development. This highlights the significance of intertwining well-defined goals with character growth. A protagonist’s goal should explore both their strengths and weaknesses to create a compelling narrative.
Each step in crafting a protagonist’s goal contributes to a richer, more engaging story. By focusing on clear objectives, compelling conflicts, and balanced character development, you can create narratives that captivate and resonate with your audience.
Obstacles and Challenges to the Protagonist’s Goal
External Obstacles: The Visible Barriers
One of the compelling elements in storytelling is the presence of external obstacles that the protagonist must overcome. These barriers are often visible and tangible, making them easier for the reader to grasp. Common external obstacles include:
- Physical Barriers: Natural disasters, challenging terrains, or physical impediments that hinder progress.
- Antagonistic Forces: Villains, rivals, or opposing characters who actively work against the protagonist.
- Social Structures: Societal norms, cultural barriers, or bureaucratic hurdles that complicate achieving the goal.
These obstacles intensify the narrative tension and create engaging scenarios for the protagonist to navigate. At Greenlight Coverage, we emphasize the impact of such barriers on character growth. For detailed script analysis services, use code 5OFFNOW at checkout to get 5% off your order.
Internal Challenges: The Invisible Struggles
Internal challenges are equally significant, often adding depth to the protagonist’s journey. These struggles are psychological or emotional, manifesting as personal conflicts that the character must resolve. Examples of internal challenges include:
- Self-doubt: Questioning one’s abilities or worthiness to achieve the goal.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Choosing between two morally conflicting paths.
- Past Traumas: Overcoming experiences from the past that impact current decisions.
Internal struggles render the protagonist relatable, inviting readers to empathize with their journey. These internal conflicts often parallel external obstacles, creating a richer, multi-layered narrative.
The Role of Antagonists In Your Protagonists Goal
Antagonists play a crucial role in presenting obstacles. They are the primary forces working against the protagonist’s goal. An antagonist could be a person, society, or even the protagonist’s darker self. Effective antagonists not only challenge the protagonist but also highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
For instance, an antagonist might represent the societal norms that the protagonist is striving to change. Their presence not only heightens the tension but also underscores the thematic depth of the narrative.
The Relationship Between a Protagonist’s Goal and the Story’s Theme
Reflecting the Broader Theme
A well-crafted protagonist’s goal often mirrors the broader theme of the story. This alignment enhances the thematic exploration and deepens the narrative impact. For example, in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, Edward’s goal of seeking acceptance mirrors the themes of gothic and science fiction central to the film.
Enhancing Thematic Depth
Aligning the protagonist’s goal with the story’s theme enriches the narrative. It allows for a more cohesive storytelling experience where every action, conflict, and resolution serves to reinforce the central message. This interconnectedness makes the story not only engaging but also meaningful.
Strengthening Reader Engagement
When a protagonist’s goal reflects the story’s theme, readers find it easier to connect with the character’s journey. This connection fosters a deeper emotional investment in the story. For instance, if a protagonist’s goal revolves around overcoming prejudice, it resonates with the theme of equality, making the narrative more impactful.
How to Revise and Develop a Protagonist’s Goal
Revisiting the Dominant Narrative
When revising a protagonist’s goal, start by revising the dominant narrative. Ensure that the character’s primary objective aligns seamlessly with their overarching story. This alignment guarantees that every action taken by the protagonist is consistent and purposeful.
Ensuring Balance and Evolution
A balanced goal encompasses both internal and external objectives. While external goals drive the narrative forward, internal goals add emotional depth. Revisit these goals periodically to ensure they evolve naturally throughout the story. This evolution keeps the character’s journey dynamic and engaging.
Reviewing Conflicts
Conflicts are pivotal in shaping the protagonist’s journey. Ensure that the obstacles faced effectively challenge the protagonist, driving their development. Review both internal and external conflicts to maintain a balanced and gripping narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Protagonist Goals
How Does a Protagonist’s Goal Differ from a Simple Storyline?
A protagonist’s goal is the core objective that the main character strives to achieve, driving their actions and the narrative. On the other hand, a storyline encompasses the broader sequence of events in the narrative. While the goal provides direction, the storyline details the journey.
Why Is It Important for the Protagonist to Have Clear Goals?
Clear goals offer direction and purpose to the protagonist’s actions. They create conflicts and challenges that drive the plot, keeping the narrative engaging. Moreover, well-defined goals contribute to character development, making the protagonist relatable and compelling.
How Can a Writer Balance Internal and External Goals?
Balancing internal and external goals involves crafting a narrative that addresses both tangible objectives and personal growth. External goals provide action and movement, while internal goals add emotional depth. Together, they create a well-rounded and engaging storyline.
Conclusion
A well-defined protagonist’s goal is crucial for creating compelling and engaging stories. It drives the narrative, shapes character development, and enhances thematic depth. By focusing on clear objectives, compelling conflicts, and balanced character arcs, you can craft narratives that captivate and resonate with your audience.
